HPR Transport Policies
Air Transportation
It is against the policy of Hurricane Pets Rescue (HPR) to transport our rescued animals via cargo. HPR does not consider this to be a safe mode of transport and have heard far too many horror stories.
HPR will, however, be pleased to assist with air transport when the animal is accompanied by someone and physically carried on the airplane. There are several carriers that are considered to be "Airline Approved" (check with your airline carrier) for carry-on of a pet. A "Sherpa" is the best choice for placing the cat under the seat in front of you, as it is not rigid and can conform to the allocated space. A Health Certificate will also be required dated within 10 days of the scheduled flight. Check with your airline carrier for any other requirements.
Funding of Transportation
HPR does not provide financial assistance for transporting rescued animals.
HPR does not charge for the services our volunteers provide to you in assisting you with the transportation of your new cat/kitten/dog or puppy to its forever home. However, please keep in mind that our volunteers do have expenses related to the transportation service they are assisting YOU with. In view of that, it is customary to offer reimbursement toward any and all expenses that might be incurred to make this transport possible, for example: food, gas, lodging, etc. Necessary supplies (see below)
Supplies Necessary for Transportation
All animals being transported must be in a crate/carrier large enough to accommodate a small litter box (if is a cat), in the event of a lengthy transport. Food, as well as food and water dishes and kitty litter must be provided (for cats) and accompany the cat as well. If these supplies are not provided and sent along with the animal, a fee will be charged to cover the purchase of these items.
Under NO circumstances is a pet to be sent on a transport run without a carrier or crate!! The provision of a carrier or crate is the responsibility of the owner/shelter/adopter. If such is not provided, there will be NO transport. HPR refuses to compromise the safety of our volunteers by the unsafe practice of transferring a rescued animal from carrier to carrier. HPR refuses to compromise the safety of our rescued animals, or take the chance of injury or escape during the unsafe practice of transferring an animal (specially a cat) from carrier to carrier during a transport!!
Medical Records
Up-to-date (UTD) medical records must accompany the rescued animal, clearly indicating that it is up to date on all vaccinations AND has been tested for FIV/FeLV(for cats( and Heart Worm (for dogs). Health Certificates are required for many states, especially for animals being transported in MA. Please make sure this documentation is provided when needed.
Physical signs of illness or disease - loose stools, diarrhea, runny nose, or eyes, coughing, visible skin infections, fleas/ticks, open sores, kennel cough, etc, should not be allowed on a transport.
Any rescue animal exhibiting physical signs of illness or disease (not previously notified of and acknowledged by EVERYONE involved in the transport), or any visible signs of aggression toward other animals, persons or drivers must immediately be brought to the attention of the Transportation Monitor.
If symptoms or conditions occur or are noticed during the transport, notify the Transport Coordinator immediately with as much detail as you can provide. Before the next leg of the transport starts, get the opinion of the next driver.
Report to Transport Coordinator. If it is determined that the animal is too sick to continue it may be removed to an Emergency Vet or regular Vet and the adopter of the animal shall be notified immediately. The course of treatment and payment is the responsibility of the legal owner.
HPR's Transportation Volunteers
HPR must have on record a Transportation and/or Foster Application for all of its volunteers.
You may e-mail us for any for these applications @: HurricanePets@aol.com
Substitution of drivers and deviation from established route is not permitted without the express knowledge and permission of the Transportation Manager, Coordinator and Monitor.
HPR Transportation Guidelines
Know who you are coordinating a run for, know your drivers and screen them.
Know all the significant information about the animal being transported.
A two (2) week lead time must be allowed before beginning a transport run.
In an emergency situation, the animal must be placed in foster care, until the transport can be organized and ALL legs filled.
Do not, under any circumstances, begin a transport run until all legs and overnight accommodations are filled and confirmed.
In the event of "open" legs or overnight accommodations the day before the scheduled start of transport, the transport will be postponed, rescheduled and posted for a later date.
When scheduling a transport, the person originating the pet on the transport is expected to drive the first leg of the transport. The person receiving the pet at the conclusion of the transport is expected to drive the final leg of the transport.
A "Transport Roster" must be completed by all volunteers. Your "Transportation Manager" will provide the completed "Transport Roster" to all volunteers involved, as well as the person adopting, the person/facility placing the pet up for adoption, and the "Transport Monitor".
A "Transport Monitor" must be available at all times - 24/7 - throughout a transportation run. Contact information will be provided by the "Transport Monitor" to all people involved with all information necessary to contact them during the run, including: Home Phone Number(s), Work Phone Number(s) and extension, as well as any instructions required to contact them at work, Cell Phone Number, email address(es). All transporters/volunteers/adopters/facilities will : "Check In" with the monitor or post to our group: hurricanepets@yahoogroups.com when their portion of the transport has been completed. In other words, as soon as that pet leaves your possession and is safely transferred to your contact person, you are required to report to the rescue transport list and/or monitor that your portion of the run has been successful. Also, report any problems you have encountered related to the transport run.
No animal may be removed, delayed, adopted or in any way deviated from established transport route without the express knowledge and approval of the Transportation Manager, coordinator and monitor.
Posting Transportation Requests:
The "Transportation Coordinator" will post and continually update the progress of the transport run being set up to
hurricanepets@yahoogroups.com or contact HPR @: HurricanePets@aol.com
Subject Line:
Please keep in mind that on many of lists people have their email delivery option set to "no mail" or "digest." Therefore, the contents of your subject line are a very important consideration.